Washington, D.C. — Today, Senate Democrats introduced the Central America Reform and Enforcement Act, a major proposal to more effectively and humanely address the Central American refugee crisis, including by making smart and targeted investments to address the root causes of migration. In response, Tom Jawetz, vice president of Immigration Policy at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
From the start, President Trump’s response to the Central American refugee crisis has been cruel and ineffective. With a single-minded focus on deterrence and enforcement—as well as misdirected vindictiveness to countries in our region and communities throughout the United States—the problem has only gotten worse. It has created a wholly unnecessary humanitarian crisis in cities and towns along our southwest border. We need real solutions, not demagoguery.
This bill puts forward a set of bold and workable proposals that recognize the only way to truly address this crisis is by tackling the root causes forcing people out. At the same time, it would build up the capacity of countries in the region to help and—critically—not lose sight of the need to treat people humanely when they reach our borders.
For more information or to talk to an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected] or 202-478-6327.